Electric-fixture base.



No. 675,303. Patented May 28, mm.

J. W.-SMITH. ELECTRIC FIXTURE BASE.

(Application filed on 15, 1898.)

(No Moduli) i tq' fi F E ,5 W J a Y a 1 I v a E a E 4 WITNESSES: INVEN 0/? I A TTORNEYS,

Fries.

PATENT? JAMES \V. SMITH, OF BROOKLYN, NElV'YORK.

ELECTRtC-FIXTURE BASE.

SPEGJIFICATEON forming part of Letters Patent No. 675,303, dated May 28, 1901.

Application filed October 15, 1898. Serial No. 693,642. (No model.)

To all whom, it 'may concern;

Be it known that I, JAMES WV. SMITH, of the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Electric- Fixture Base, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to and is an improvement on thedevices in use forinsulating electric-light fixtures and is cheap in manufacture and more convenient for placing the fixtures under certain conditions than those now in useas, for instance, when they are secured to a flat surface.

My invention comprises the novel features of construction hereinafter described an claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a plan view of my device, showing a fixture-base in place. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, on 'the line 2 2 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation on the line 3 3 in Fig. 1. Fig. at is a longitudinal sectional elevation showinga modified form of stem attached to the base, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectionalelevation of the same.

My fixture-base is intended for use where a fixture is to be secured to a flat surface, and is especially desirable by reason of the fact that it enables the fixture to be secured close to the wall or other surface and without using a number of ungainly parts, being itself directly attachable to a flat surface without the interposition of any other device. In this respect it differs from the ordinary insulating device, the latter being designed for attachment to gas-pipes and when secured to flat surfaces demanding the interposition of a separate base, to which the insulating portion is screwed. This projects the fixture unduly and often makes it necessary to use avery large casing or cone to cover up the fixture-base and the wires used for making the connection. It is the object of my invention to make a base which may be directly secured to any fiat surface and so that it will bring the fixture close to said surface and also a base which may be cheaply made.

My device consists of two principal partsa base-plate and a stem-between which is placed a layer of insulating material, as mica. The base-plate A is provided with means by which it may be secured to any flat surfacesuch means, for instance, as the slots a,which are adapted to receive screws or bolts. The

outer portion of the stem varies in construc-,

tion,accor ding to the purpose to which it is to be put, being in some cases a short threaded bolt B, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, or a tube or socket E, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The base of the stem is in either case provided with segmental flanges O, which are adapted to be engaged by'flanges B upon the base-plate, a layer D of insulating material, .as mica, being inserted between the two. The flanges B are closed down upon the flanges C, so as to securely bind the base-plate and stem together. As shown in Fig. 1,the flanges B are oppositely arranged and spaced from each other, so as to form a clearance for the insertion of the stem-flanges O, which are likewise segmental, and upon then turning the stem about its axis the flanges G will be brought under the flanges B, thus locking the stem in position. With this construction the flanged end of the stem is brought very close to the surface of the supporting object, being separated therefrom only by the thickness of the plate A and the layer D of insulating material. This feature greatly improves the appearance of the completed job, as a large covering-cone is not necessary to hide the wires and base. For the same reason it results in economy. A saving in cost is also made because the flangeelbow gas-fixture, which is used to support the ordinary insulating-base, is entirelyomit ted.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the stem consists of a tube E, which has segmental flanges O at one end and has its central portion constructed as a ring F. The outer end of this tube is threaded, as shown at G. The form of stem which is used in connection with the base is, however, immaterial. The base as used in connection with such a stem as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 will be provided with a central hole a. This hole may be used for the passage of the wires of the fixture either temporarily, while being screwed to the stem, or permanently, as may be necessary. This form of-fixture-base is very cheap in construction and enables the fixture to be secured firmly and close to the surface of the wall. The flanges B, which embrace the stem, are rounded in outline on their inner edges, conforming as near as may be to the outline of the stem, but at a slight distance from the body thereof, sufficient to prevent electrical connection. The fixture is screwed to the stem or secured thereto by any'des'ired formof connection. The two forms of stem shown will be sufficient for most purposes. Other forms might be used, if desired; but they should have the flange which is embraced by the flange of the base-plate. This form of fixture-base will be found tohave many advantages, and particularly where a snug compact job is desiredas, for instance, when put in junction-boxes. It will lie entirely in the box, and its outer portion is of comparalVitnesses:

tively small diameter, so that it does not fill the box-opening and prevent the convenient placing and handling of the wires.

Having thus described my invention, I

claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- I The combinationof the base having a flat attaching-surface on one side and a round socket or seat on the other side, with oppositely arranged segmental spaced flanges overhanging said socket, a stem having means for-carrying an electric appliance, and provided with segmental flanges adapted to enter between and to fit under those of the base,

and an insulator interposed between the base 3 5 and the stem.

EVERARD BOLTON MARSHALL, H. L. REYNOLDS. V

3 AMES w. SMITH. 

